(Winnipeg) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced more than $633 million in funding for health care.
Nearly $434 million is earmarked to support Manitoba’s three-year plan to improve health care and about $199 million is earmarked to strengthen care for seniors.
In a news release, the governments say the funding is intended to support Manitoba’s goal of hiring 400 additional doctors, 300 nurses, 200 physician assistants and 100 home care workers.
The provincial government and Ottawa say they are also working to remove barriers that prevent internationally trained doctors and health professionals from practicing in Manitoba.
A little over a year ago, Ottawa announced $196 billion in funding over the next 10 years to help provinces and territories improve access to health care – about $46 billion of which is new funding.
Manitoba is the seventh province or territory to officially sign the agreement, following British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario and the Northwest Territories .
All provinces and territories have accepted the health accord in principle, except Quebec, which believes it does not have to report to Ottawa on how the money is spent.